WASHINGTON, DC - Each of America’s presidents may soon have a turn on the front of the dollar coin. Reps. Mike Castle (R-DE) and Carolyn Maloney’s (D-NY) bill that aims to bring a financial windfall to the U.S. Treasury and teach history by rotating each president on the coin over ten years is being marked up by the full Financial Services Committee and will next be on the House floor for consideration. Castle and Maloney hope the presidential coins will jump start the sluggish dollar coin program and come close to the success of the popular state quarters - a program that has inspired history lessons and netted the Treasury $4 billion over its first 5 years.

“On one side, we can kick-start a sluggish coin program and bring billions to the Treasury,” said Maloney. “On the other side, we can teach history to students and collectors. Heads or tails, it’s a win-win proposition. I strongly support having Lady Liberty gracing the reverse of these coins - there is no greater symbol of American and New York City’s strength and freedom than she.”

Today’s markup will determine whether the Statue of Liberty is on the reverse, as the original bill stipulates, or if an amendment to replace it with a depiction of the lunar lander succeeds. $10 bullion coins depicting the era’s First Lady will be issued along with each new presidential coin, and today’s markup will add bronze versions of those coins as well, making it easier for school children and collectors to obtain them. Sacagawea, who currently graces the front of the dollar coin, will return after the 10 years.

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